Chicken Dopiaza
70 min · 11 steps
Hard: over 60 min or 12+ steps
About this dish
The name means "double onion" — tender chicken in a rich sauce where onions are added in two ways at two stages, creating a wonderfully sweet, layered depth that sets this dish apart from any other curry.
Allergy Info
None
Diet Info
Meat
Ingredients
Fresh Produce
- Onionslarge — 1 finely diced, 0.5 cut into 2cm wedges and layers separated1.5
- Garlic Clovesminced2.5
- Fresh Gingerfinely grated12.5 g
- Green Chilliesfinely sliced1
- Fresh Corianderroughly chopped0.5 small handful
Meat & Poultry
- Chicken Thighsboneless, skinless, cut into 4cm chunks375 g
Tins & Jars
- Chopped Tomatoestinned200 g
- Tomato Purée0.5 tbsp
Dried Goods
- Water50 ml
Spices & Seasonings
- Cumin Seeds0.5 tsp
- Green Cardamom Podslightly crushed1.5
- Ground Coriander1 tsp
- Ground Cumin0.75 tsp
- Kashmiri Chilli Powder0.5 tsp
- Ground Turmeric0.25 tsp
- Garam Masala0.5 tsp
- Saltto taste
Oils & Condiments
- Vegetable Oil2 tbsp
Utensils
- large heavy pan
- frying pan
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- grater
- wooden spoon
- meat thermometer
Method
Cut the chicken thighs into 4cm chunks. Finely dice 1 onion, and cut the half onion into 2cm wedges, separating the layers. Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and finely slice the green chilli.
Heat 1.5 tbsp oil in a large heavy pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and cardamom pods. Sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the finely diced onion. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until deep golden.
Add the garlic, ginger, and green chilli. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the tomato purée, ground coriander, ground cumin, Kashmiri chilli powder, and turmeric. Cook for 2 minutes to bloom the spices.
Add the tinned tomatoes and 50ml water. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly reduced.
Add the chicken and stir well to coat in the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 0.5 tbsp oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add the onion wedges and cook for 4–5 minutes until golden at the edges. Set aside.
Uncover the chicken and stir in the fried onion wedges. Cook uncovered for 8 minutes until the sauce thickens. Check the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 74°C using a meat thermometer.
Stir in the garam masala and season with salt to taste.
Serve scattered with fresh coriander.
